We ride through the physical world in meat suits composed primarily of water, with only a sparse set of more rigid support structures to frame out the vehicle. The bony basin in which the soup of our visceral contents sits is the pelvis, and at the base of the pelvis, supporting these contents and helping to regulate their excretion, lies what is commonly known as the “pelvic floor.” In reality, the pelvic floor consists of the perineal membrane and fascia, and a majestic muscle group known as Levator Ani. The Levator Ani can be further broken out into three distinct muscles: the puborectalis, pubococcygeus (which forms the pubovaginalis in women and the puboprostaticus in men), and iliococcygeus; however, these muscles function together to form a diaphragm-like sling that spans across the interior surfaces of the pelvic bones, wraps around the urethras of men and women alike, and whose fibers eventually become continuous with those of the anal sphincter. Together, they fulfill a role so vastly fundamental to the baseline functionality of our bodies that to address them separately in terms of location and biomechanical action alone would be to diminish their contribution to the human experience. In this paper I intend to explore these most crucial muscles as a group -- in function and in dysfunction, and in structural, psychological and energetic terms.

Structurally speaking, the Levator Ani performs a formidable task in supporting our entire pelvic contents and maintaining both urinary and anal sphincter continence. This means it is also responsible for maintaining optimal pressure within the abdominal cavity, which of course affects the function of the various organs it contains. In addition, Levator Ani makes an important cameo during childbirth, when its resistance is needed to control the descent of the presenting part of the fetus and rotate it to fit through the pelvic girdle. Weakness or injury to the Levator Ani can leave the unhappy subject incontinent, or even cause pelvic organ prolapse, when the bladder, urethra, small intestine, rectum or uterus protrude into the vagina.

It is not surprising, then, that many expectant mothers and other individuals who prefer to keep their organs unmerged practice Kegel exercises to tone and strengthen the pelvic floor. Invented first, surely, by early hominids -- and, successively and independently, by every being who ever possessed a fanny to play with -- but clinically debuted by Dr. Arnold Kegel in the mid twentieth century, Kegel exercises are simply voluntary contractions of the Levator Ani muscles. As it turns out, however, Dr. Kegel was a bit of a gynecological Christopher Columbus in believing he was the first to distribute this wisdom and blazon it with his name. Jade stones or “Yoni Eggs” had been used to strengthen the pelvic floor and vaginal muscles for thousands of years before Kegel’s head ever rotated against his mother’s Levator Ani. Ancient Chinese royalty would exercise the pelvic floor by lifting jade eggs internally, seeking to harness the full potential of their sexual power. Awareness of the pelvic floor also appears in the ancient practices of Yoga and Pranayama. Mula Bandha, an energetic “lock” created by contraction of the Levator Ani, is a central practice in much of traditional Yoga. Nowadays, some Ashtanga Yoga teachers encourage constant maintenance of Mula Bandha, and some particularly avid students of modern Yoga have crossed the Jade Egg with bodybuilding and begun lifting heavy objects with these muscles, much to the benefit of their instagram ratings and, ostensibly, their sex lives.

Unfortunately, contrary to the Western mantra “More Is Better,” too much tone in the Levator Ani can also be problematic. Levator Ani Syndrome is another unfortunate dysfunction of the pelvic floor, whereby excessive tone can cause painful spasms in the Levator Ani muscles. So it is a balancing act we play in this foundational muscle group, seeking only the right amount of holding at all times.

Although it would be logical to assume that the Levator Ani is of most importance to bipeds, since gravity brings our viscera to sit in the pelvis rather than be supported by the bony thorax and the abdominal wall, the Levator Ani muscles are actually much stronger in quadrupeds, as they are primarily responsible for the action of tail-wagging. This evolutionary parallel gives an emphatic hint that this muscle group is not only mechanically important but also a strongly expressive body part in terms of emotion. As human tails have been reduced over millenia to a measly, un-waggable stump known as the coccyx, the emotional expression created by tone patterns in this muscle has become a much more internal one, though no less poignant. The rhythmic contractions of the Levator Ani are unmistakably present for humans of all sexes during orgasm. In my view, the ecstatic pumping release of sexual climax represents a perfect antithesis to the too-much and not-enough tonal issues we examined above. And indeed, a psychosomatic examination reveals that the ability to attain sexual satisfaction is very much linked to maintenance of appropriate tone in the pelvic floor, which in turn is deeply connected to psychological and personal history, attitude, and disposition. In Bodymind, Ken Dychtwald superimposes psychological and kinesiological disciplines with Tantric energetic anatomy to posit that the pelvic floor, or the anal region of the pelvis (as opposed to the genital) corresponds to the muladhara chakra, which concerns itself with basic survival needs, primitive energy and human potential. He writes:

[Muladhara Chakra] is responsible for basic survival needs and actions, and, with the corresponding anal region, is said to be the vortex around which the energies and attitudes of primitive, material concerns revolve.When a person is tense and tight in this bodymind region, it indicates that he is overconcerned with material and survival needs. As a result, he will have difficulty giving and taking in an unrestrained fashion and may try to hoard and possess everything with which he comes in contact. Conversely, when there is vitality and flexibility in this region, it reflects an open, giving, free-flowing way of being in the world. (p. 91)

Dychtwald further suggests that inefficient use of the muscles of the anal region during defecation is connected to emotional disturbance caused by imposing early toilet training on toddlers who have not yet developed adequate sphincter control. When children are forced to toilet train prematurely, they needlessly recruit many other unrelated muscle groups, including the pelvic floor. The result is that elimination becomes “a difficult and uncomfortable process that is unconsciously associated with bodymind tension and holding on and with an overriding inability to let go comfortably without activating an unnecessarily wide range of muscles and feelings” (p. 94). Thus the typical ‘anal retentive’ personality is linked to the bodymind significance of the Levator Ani as a muscle whose tone indicates the ability, or lack thereof, to allow experiences and emotions to flow through the body naturally.This aligns well with the concept of sexual gratification as dependent upon the levels of both emotional and physiological tension in this region. In light of this, isn’t it logical that a person would have difficulty reaching an orgasm, or feeling sexually motivated at all for that matter, if he or she is holding in the first chakra, concerned with paying rent, buying food, or keeping a job? How can a person who is stuck in “hoarding” behavior engage fully in the give-and-take of lovemaking? And on a physical level, how is a muscle that is in a state of constant hypertonicity supposed to create joyful, strong, rhythmic pumping contractions to send blood, fluids and spirit into cosmic circulation? When we think of the human body not just in terms of the meat suit but all the Someone and the experience that it houses, muscles like the Levator Ani take on a hugely complex significance--both as products and creators of the human story.

In my own story, the Levator Ani has served as a teacher, a friend, and at times, played the proverbial Canary in the Coal Mine. Through the practice of Yoga and Pranayama, I have developed an awareness of this region that is more advanced than the majority of modern society, though I certainly have never lifted a surfboard with my vagina (c.f. Youtube). This journey of self-exploration through the pelvic floor not only gave me access to an immensity of untapped energy that lives within my system, but also brought me directly to the doorstep of many deep-seated fears and holding patterns that riddle my body and personality. The Levator Ani, and the practice of pranayama, continues to be a key part of my daily healing and self-reclamation practices. Though I would be a disappointing student of certain extra-emphatic Ashtanga teachers, the ability to recognize tension in this area of my body allows me to realize when I am contracting around the experience of the present moment. It is my sense that tightening the pelvic floor increases my internal pressure to match a real or perceived pressure from the external world, allowing me to feel myself more strongly and creating the illusion of enhanced self-support and bolstering. In a sense, when I contract my pelvic floor, I feel I am braced and ready --”armored,” as many would call it -- to face an anticipated difficult or jarring experience. Sometimes this is certainly a good plan. But more often than not, this response is a mechanism for shutting off sensation and possibility in the face of a danger that is more imagined than real.

When we consider all of this, The Levator Ani is clearly far more than a structural support or a mechanical sling; it represents fears and wounding, power and control, as well as openness and ecstatic surrender -- but only as long as we are able to consciously engage with it to eliminate skillfully on material, emotional and spiritual levels. It then becomes a most central and fundamental daily practice to cultivate a relaxed and toned, healthy pelvic floor, along with all its accompanying attitudes and dispositions.

The later in life people are, the more health conscious they become. Most older people try to eat better and get more conscious of better health choices. The above recommendation is probably something you heard from older people by now. The older people get, the more degenerative issues they experience, both on themselves and friends, which are the results of unhealthy lifestyles.

The younger you are the more impact a healthy lifestyle will have on you. The best time to start is before you are even conceived. Parents should eat very healthy for at least 6 months prior to fertilization for the most impact on the correct development of an unborn child. The younger we are the stronger our hormones and DNA are, with the ability to construct super health and super humans.

People that start training and living healthy at their mid 20's will possibly have a very hard time undoing some of the damages they have already acquired. Their health potential has decreased by then. Of course it is never too late to get healthy and fulfill your health potential at the point where you are at.

But generally speaking there is a great point for early education of young people by directing their attention to building themselves up for a more healthy fulfilling life with the ability to enjoy living in their bodies. The sooner we wake up from the destructive habits we cultivated the better! It's especially sad to see an older person sticking to destructive habits like smoking or drinking, ignoring all the signs and symptoms of deteriorating health, making them seem so irresponsible it is a form of suicide. We sometimes see that with a friend or a relative, at a point where it has gone too far and it is beyond our ability to help or effect that person, it can be painful to observe.

Destructive habits however don't end with smoking and drinking. It goes all the way down to what and how we eat as well as our activity level (including how balanced that activity is). Eating unhealthy food is obviously very damaging to every part of our body from the way we look to our digestive system. With poor digestion comes poor ability to absorb nutrients which leads to shrinking of vital organs and even the brain!

Some people never wake up and realize the importance of healthy living. The consequences are a loss and a person who doesn't know themself, a person that hasn't reached their health potential, and a person that thinks the joy of destructive habits is bigger then the joy of health.

Our society as a whole is a sick society with the majority of people having severe health conditions at a very young age, you can see it by going out to the street. People try to get healthy by following the wrong advice that only causes them to get worse. The advice you will get about health from a sick society will generally not be very helpful. People try to hold onto bad eating patterns by finding a way to make excuses as to why it is healthy, like the concept of eating in Moderation (which I also wrote about in 2012).

You should research what being healthy truly means. The animals in the wild are generally healthy. We should find out what part of the planet we have developed in, what sort of diet was consumed at that part of the world for the past thousands of years, and what type of lifestyle have we developed to survive. I promise you it is very different then today's world, but many times bringing back the old and connecting to our true roots can bring back great ideas.

Health is a journey, we can always find ways to better ourselves, and doing better is fun and fulfilling. The other option is doing worse and there is nothing inbetween. The place between better and worse is a temporary plateau, and after that come worse. Maintaining is an illusion. Fulfill your health potential!

Joint discomfort is a common issue among athletes as well as sedentary people. Ranging from common issues like arthritis to tendonitis and soft tissue tears. There are many ways to look at these types of issues. From the bodies inner environment, i.e. the hormonal and anti inflammatory body environment that could support a healthy and robust connective tissues. Or a bodily environment that would break and degrade them.

To the type of movement a person performs throughout his day to day activities, the level of coordination of his body and how he aligns himself biomechanically. How balanced is his physical activity? Does the resistance load impact his system in a balanced and gradual manner?In this article we will be looking more into the movement side of the equation. Having pain free joints is the natural way to be. The majority of people that move correctly, have a balanced practice that is put together with all the correct variables, as well as eating correctly, should not experience chronic joint pain. Our bodies should be able to naturally heal any acute damage to the joint structure, as well as any other structure in our body.

A pain, any type of pain, is the alarm the body activates when trying to tell us that something is wrong. Healthy people should not experience pain other then injuries here and there. And if they do experience it they should be questioning their health. This is a pretty simple concept, and is the one thing to look at when things stray from the natural way and into the zone of pain, and specifically here, joint pain.

Manipulating weights isn't a less natural way of moving than bodyweight training. Both ways could cause joint pain when full consideration of variables isn't taken into account. The main difference between the two is that with bodyweight training you are manipulating your own body against other objects. As such, you can create various levels of resistance, and develop strength in relation to your own body weight, in alignments that will translate well to moving your body in space.

Both styles of training should be looked at from the standpoint of joint preparation. If you are about to start training toward the Iron-Cross exercise on the Gymnastics Rings, you should prepare your shoulders and elbows for the specific load that will be placed on them, as well as the muscle mass to support that effort. Failure to do so could lead to bad injuries in those joints. This type of approach of course will apply to martial arts, dance, and any field of movement or specific demands on the body.

Similarly, if you are about to undertake exercising at the local gym, you should ask yourself if your joints are stable enough to take on a high load that you might be desiring. Loading a lax joint heavily might compromise its integrity. A joint focused type of work should be incorporated, prior and as you are increasing your loads.

When it comes to joint pain in training, it usually comes from people wanting to develop muscle and strength through the different methods, without giving extra thought to the condition of their joints.

When loading a muscle, the load also falls on the tendon that connects the muscle to the bone, and on the ligament that connects one bone to another. The problem is that those connective tissues respond differently to resistance than the muscle.

For a muscle to grow stronger it takes a high level of resistance intensity and a relatively smaller number of repetitions. For a connective tissue to strengthen, it takes a smaller resistance (especially when the load is directed at the connective tissue and less on the muscle), and much more repetitions. And that difference in structure and response to resistance, is where problems many times start. The reason being is that a muscle fiber has tissue that has the ability to contract and expand against resistance, and that is it's ability to induce action, while using nutrients and body materials as energy sources. The connective tissue doesn't have this type of active contracting ability, instead its a tissue that has various percentages of collagen, which makes for a gradual elasticity versus solidity along the course of its tissue.

At the higher levels of resistance, sufficient joint strengthening should be taking place, as you can't build a strong muscle on a weak joint. This type of preparation is task specific, as strength is task specific as well. And it should be achieved in the direction of the strength that is about to be developed.

At the lower levels of functionality, a more general approach should be incorporated to challenge the ligaments of the body in multiple directions, challenging their strength, elasticity, and endurance, preparing for day to day chores.

Naturally this type of approach could help prevent a later in life occurrence of arthritis, and prevent the need for rehabilitation type of work for people with degraded joints, as it will thicken the connective tissue, and make it better suited to deal with the daily stresses.

Some of the common practices in relation to joint pain are ultrasound, various types of specific massage technics as well as medications, and heat pads. These are all passive approaches, while they could help with removing inflammation, and reducing the pain. They will not build a stronger and thicker connective tissue, and therefore will not fix the problem on a longer term basis.

Only correct resistance, active work can make the body adapt in a way of strengthening the joints, and putting connective material where it's needed for a better function. And that should be done coupled with a correct nutritional approach in order to minimize inflammatory processes, and provide sufficient building blocks for the tissue.​This type of material and work can be found at the Fundamentals of Movement system. Contact us as at FundamentalsOfMovement.com for information, online training programs, and one on one training and seminars.

For many of us it is hard to perceive, but our body is a colony of cells.It is similar to this Coral from my fish tank. Each circle that you see in the coral and in every coral is a single organism, the hole in the middle is used for consumption, breathing and excrement. Together these organisms form a colony (Each organism is made of living cells on the cellular level, and they in turn all have different tasks in the contribution of the livelihood of our organism).At home I grow lots of colonies of coral, fish, as well as my own body.For many of us it is hard to imagine, but our arms, livers, and other various organs are a living colony of organism, ones that can express themselves to a similar extent of other life forms we encounter, only that our own body is there to support our personal livelihood.For better or worst in our culture we have been perceiving ourselves separately from our bodies thinking that the state of our body doesn’t have much to do with our personality and the capacity of our intellect.That perception doesn’t take into account the fact that we have a set of cells that allows our spiritual self to express itself though our body. Those are nerve cells and the center of command, our brain.When our bodily organs degenerate, the same happens to our brain and nerves. We wouldn’t necessarily lose the ability to talk, or compute, or use other functions of it. Same like we don’t easily lose our ability to run or hold things.It is a biologic adaptation that once we intensely use one of our functions, our body will support its growth even if that is on account of another body part failure. Still that function will be less then optimal in that case.Many of us have lost the ability to squat, sprint, jump, or perform other vital actions that used to be crucial for our survival, and you can make your own calculation as to our brain functionality. We might be keeping it functional to an extent, but is it as adaptable as it should be?There are many things that effect our livelihood, be it money, care for our dear ones or communities. All of these have the capacity to better the conditions of living colonies of cells, and therefore better the conditions of those who govern them.And I say, don’t just worry about those who govern. I make it a point of bringing the animals around me to as much life as possible by understanding how their biology works.There is a problem to life, while spirit is all one, every living organism is feeding on other organism since the dawn of creation, that could be looked at as a moral contradiction but if you think about it enough you will find that it is not!I do the same with the people I surround myself with, increasing their livelihood by education regarding our eating habits and the system that feed our cells, and on the effects of various movements on the adaptation of these mute organisms that follow our instructions for good or bad.And of course I make it first priority to take the best care I can of my own self, which sadly is much more then what I see most people do even though it defy any good judgment to me.I see good people looking in the wrong places, not knowing how to start thinking about these concepts, living at mediocrity with themselves. All of that could and should be changed as we have the means to do much better.

People go to the gym, or train with resistance, in order to look good, what ever that means. But one thing seems to be forgotten.

Seems like doing that becomes a synonym with improving health but I don't see much conscious effort being assigned to health ( It is pretty close, you can get two birds in one shot). Very little attention is given to nutrition by most, and all the working out has all sorts of damaging effects from pounding joints into dust to strength work that diminishes flexibility and mobility.